In-Box Review

Prior to this absolutely lucky occurrence, Medallion Models' kits were a mystery to me. From what I learned, it’s a small firm that produces some fine cast resin kits, conversions and accessories, from Lafayette, IN (USA). I couldn’t find whether they are still in the business or not, but – if I am to judge based on this kit only – I wish that they are!

First of all, this is an old and not so easy to find kit. Sometimes, retail prices for this little kit can jump up to a $100 and more on e-bay, but mine was a good bargain from an on-line auction in Hungary. I was long looking for a Heinkel He-100D other than the HiPM offering in quarter scale, and I was happy to seize the opportunity and get this resin gem. Since it was a retail kit, it wasn’t without the problems – mine was without decals and radiator, but this didn’t seem a big deal at the time.

It is not my intention to burden you with peculiar developmental history of the aircraft itself, but I will rather focus on what’s in the box. Unfortunately, I cannot review the missing decal sheet and the radiator, but if you have an extra sheet or radiator, I would be more than interested to review it.

The kit comes in quite a big and sturdy, top-opening box. It includes 28 resin parts, 7 white metal parts, two vac form canopies, one-sheet instructions, and decal sheet (which were missing in my boxing). Upon closer inspection, I also noticed that the radiator is missing too, but this shouldn’t be a problem to scratch afterwards. Having in mind that this kit is a pre-owned retail, I expected problems. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t affect the review itself, or the overall impression of the kit.

Parts are separated and individually bagged in four plastic bags – one single cast wing and the fuselage, white metal parts, small resin bits and pieces, and two vac canopies. First impression of the casting is generally very good. However, the resin is rather soft, but it is also absolutely bubble-free and without major surface blemishes, which you would regularly expect from an older resin kit. The parts are also well prepared and without large casting blocks of resin. Apart from nasty mould separation mark, which runs along the fuselage sides from the front tip and all the way to the fin in my kit, I couldn’t notice any other surface blemish or resin deformation. However, the trailing edges of the wing casts, as well as other smaller resin pieces, are rather sharp and will require additional care and some gentle sanding in the process of preparation.

The fuselage and the main wing are cast as single parts. Both the wing and the fuselage have beautifully engraved and clearly visible panel lines. The kit is overall rather simple in terms of the number of parts, but it still includes rather detailed cockpit, and this is without additional PE or acetate accessories. The lack of information and knowledge on the exact interior of He-100D might have looked like an opportunity to tell the accuracy police to go take a walk, but the execution of the cockpit interior is still quite impressive. However, many individual details are easily recognisable as borrows from another kits of the subjects from the same era (Hasegawa’s Bf-109, for instance). This is obvious at least for the cockpit sides, rudder pedals, and the wheels.

The prop hub and the three blades are individual parts, so the prop-jig is a must. The undercarriage has white metal legs, and these are beautifully cast with leg struts and tail wheel. This could be additionally detailed, but it does provide enough detail for an easy and good-looking OOB build. The kit comes with a vac canopy with a spare piece in case of a modelling mishap. Although the canopies are very thin and clear, canopy frame separation lines are not so clear and prominent, and additional care will be required during masking and painting.

The instruction sheet is a single paper, and a kind of an ol’school type, but with enough information for painless assembly. Guideline for painting and decal application is also very simple, providing just one “propaganda fighter” option in classic splinter RLM 70/71/65 scheme. You will learn from the painting and decal guide that national insignias were not provided in the kit, so you should look for other available sources. It surely applies to me, since I received no decals at all.

Conclusion

Medallion Models provided us with a quite a nice resin kit of this Heinkel’s alternative fighter. It is hard for me to compare it with other offerings in 48’ (which are sparse, anyway), but my impression is that this kit can easily withstand the competition. If it wasn’t this rare and hard to find, I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try their hand with an easy resin starter. The dry-fit of the wing and the fuselage revealed that the kit is well engineered, and will come together rather easily. It is long out of production, and I would suggest that you grab one if it’s available.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on STRONG>AEROSCALE.

SUMMARY

Highs: A well designed and cast resin kit of the Lows: Out of production, and not an easy find. Just one marking option without national insignia. Verdict: This kit is long out of production, but it provides a modeler with a rather nice full resin representation of this historically important subject.

I returned to plastic modeling in 2010 after a break of almost 20 years. Seemed like an opportunity to exercise some patience, and relieve tension. I am concentrating on WW2 aircraft, particularly Luftwaffe and the aircraft that are somehow connected with this part of the world. Some skills are comi...